Disclosure: Some of the links you’ll encounter are affiliate links. If you click and buy something, I’ll get a commission. If you’re reading a review of some precious metals company, please understand that some of the links are affiliate links that help me pay my bills and write about what I love with no extra cost to you. Thank you!
Regular Sacagawea dollars contain no gold despite their golden appearance. Instead, they’re made of manganese brass. The gold versions were all minted at West Point, not Philadelphia, Denver, or San Francisco.
The U.S. Mint released a limited 24-karat gold proof Sacagawea dollar in 2025 for the coin’s 25th anniversary, with only 7,500 minted.
Additionally, 39 special 22-karat gold Sacagaweas were struck at West Point in 1999, with 12 traveling to space on the Space Shuttle Columbia. Seven of these space-flown coins recently sold for $3.28 million at auction.
Learn more below!
Take this quiz and test your knowledge on Sacagawea gold coins. Take the quiz after you’ve read my guide for your best results.
Do Sacagawea Gold Dollars Exist? Are These Coins Real?
Yes, Sacagawea gold dollars exist. These coins are real, but rare.
In 2025, the U.S. Mint produced a special 24-karat gold proof version of the Sacagawea dollar coin to celebrate the coin’s 25th anniversary.
This special coin is a limited-edition collector’s item. It’s not meant for circulation (only 7.500 were minted) and it contains a half-ounce of pure gold (15.55 grams).
| Design (obverse and reverse) | Obverse- Profile of Sacagawea with her child, Jean Baptiste Charbonneau. Reverse- soaring eagle encircled by 17 stars, which represent each state in the Union at the time of the 1804 Lewis and Clark expedition. |
| Year of issue: | 2025 |
| Mint marks | W (West Point) |
| Mintage (Circulation): | 7,500 |
| Alloy: | 24k gold. |
| Weight: | 0.5 troy ounces (15.55 grams) |
| Diameter: | 26.49 mm (1.043 inches) |
| Edge: | Plain |
Note: to lay public 2025 gold Sacagawea coins are going to be nearly indistinguishable from regular, non-gold 2025 Native American Dollar.
The latter looks like it’s made of gold, but in reality isn’t.
Here’s how to differentiate between the two.
First, the 2025 Gold Sacagawea Dollar has the date and mintmark on the coin’s obverse. The non-gold 2025 Native American Dollar has the date and mintmark on the coin’s edge.
Second, the 2025 Gold Sacagawea Dollar has an eagle on the reverse. The non-gold 2025 Native American Dollar depicts Mary Kawena Pukui.
Third, the 2025 Gold Sacagawea Dollar weighs 15.55 grams. The non-gold 2025 Native American Dollar weighs 8.1 grams. Gold Sacagawea coins weighs more because of the greater density of gold.
Use the tips above to help you distinguish between real Sacagawea dollars made of gold and those that look like they’re made of gold, but aren’t. Also use it to not fall for the fake Sacagawea scam and lose your money.
For example, you can easily find posts on Reddit where people ask whether the gold-looking Sacagaweas they own contain real gold or not.
Next, there’re the thirty nine 22k-gold Sacagawea Dollars struck at West Point in 1999 (though dated 2000 as the official start of the Sacagawea Dollar series).
12 of these 39 gold dollars went to space on Space Shuttle Columbia in July 1999, becoming one of the rare U.S. coins to have left our home planet.
Upon returning to Earth, these 12 gold coins were deposited at Fort Knox for safekeeping The remaining 27 coins were melted down.
Recently, 7 of these valuable coins were sold at an auction for a whopping $3.28 million.
This means 5 space-flown gold Sacagaweas still wait at Fort Knox to be auctioned off and fetch a magnificent price.
Where To Get Gold Proof Sacagawea Dollar Coins?
The best place to get gold proof Sacagawea Dollar coins is at the U.S. Mint’s official site.
However, the coin sold out really quickly and it’s unknown when the next batch will be released. You can set up a notification reminder with this site to stay in the loop.
Did Any of the Sacagawea Dollar Coin Mint Errors Result in a Gold Specimen?
No, none of the widely recognized Sacagawea dollar mint errors resulted in a specimen made of actual gold.
All circulating Sacagawea dollars with errors were struck on the standard manganese brass clad planchets. These gave the Sacagawea dollar their famous golden color, but there’s no real gold in these coins.
Are There Sacagawea Cheerios Dollar Coins Made of Gold?
No, there’re no Sacagawea Cheerios Dollar coins made of gold.
All Sacagawea Cheerios Dollars were made from the same material as regular circulating Sacagaweas.
A Sacagawea Cheerios Dollar specimen that looks like it’s made of gold is either completely uncirculated (in mint condition) or is in reality plated with gold.
Gold-plated Cheerios Sacagawea coins still have their base made of 88.5% copper, 6% zinc, 3.5% manganese, and 2% nickel.
Note: gold plated coins are usually plated with thin gold veneers.
You can do a gold scratch test to be sure, but be careful not to significantly damage the coin. It’s best to take such a specimen to a coin grading service for professional revaluation and grading.
Were Gold Sacagawea Dollar Coins Minted by the Philadelphia Mint?
No, gold Sacagawea Dollars weren’t minted by the Philadelphia Mint. Both the 22k space flown gold Sacagaweas and 24k Anniversary Sacagawea Golden Dollars were minted by the West Point branch of the U.S. Mint.
Interesting fact: these 39 gold Sacagaweas were first struck at United States Mint at Philadelphia on half–ounce gold planchets.
But they were inscribed with a “W” mint mark because the United States Mint planned to mint duplicate coins at West Point and sell them to the public. However, those plans were canceled.
Were Gold Sacagawea Dollar Coins Minted by the Denver Mint?
No, gold Sacagawea Dollars weren’t minted by the Denver Mint. Both the 22k space flown gold Sacagaweas and 24k Anniversary Sacagawea Golden Dollars were minted by the West Point branch of the U.S. Mint.
Were Gold Sacagawea Dollar Coins Minted by the West Point Mint?
Yes, both the 22k space flown gold Sacagaweas and 24k Anniversary Sacagawea Golden Dollars were minted by the West Point branch of the U.S. Mint.
Were Gold Sacagawea Dollar Coins Minted by the San Francisco Mint?
No, gold Sacagawea Dollars weren’t minted by the San Francisco Mint. Both the 22k space flown gold Sacagaweas and 24k Anniversary Sacagawea Golden Dollars were minted by the West Point branch of the U.S. Mint.
Is it Possible to Include Sacagawea Gold Dollars in a Gold IRA Account?
No, it’s not possible to include Sacagawea gold dollars in a gold IRA account. Gold Sacagawea coins aren’t considered gold bullion.
Instead, they’re viewed as collectibles and the IRS doesn’t allow collectibles to be included in a gold or silver IRA.
Check out this U.S. gold IRA company if you want to include real gold into your IRA account and you’re worried about gold IRA scams.
The company is called Augusta Precious Metals, they’re a legit and trusted U.S. gold IRA provider and they’re one of the rare company that waives all fees for all customers for full 10 years.
Get your free precious metals investment guide here!
Sacagawea Gold Coins- Do They Exist and Where to Buy Them? Conclusion
Genuine Sacagawea gold coins are extremely rare. Only a limited number of special proof coins and unique 22k gold coins struck for the Space Shuttle Columbia exist, and they’re all minted at West Point.
Most circulating Sacagawea dollars are manganese brass and contain no gold, despite their appearance, and the 2025 24-karat gold proof coin is a limited 25th-anniversary collector’s item.
References:
- Hidden at Fort Knox for years, ‘space-flown’ Sacagawea gold coins sell for millions- https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/09/15/sacagawea-gold-coins-flown-nasa-space-shuttle-auction/86160866007/
- Is the Sacagawea Coin Real Gold?- https://www.govmint.com/learn/post/is-the-sacagawea-coin-real-gold
- Space-flown 2000-W Gold Sacagawea Dollars are being auctioned- https://www.reddit.com/r/coins/comments/1n96mpv/spaceflown_2000w_gold_sacagawea_dollars_are_being/
- 25th Anniversary Sacagawea 2025 Golden Dollar 24K One Half-Ounce Gold Proof Coin- https://www.usmint.gov/25th-anniversary-sacagawea-2025-golden-dollar-24k-one-half-ounce-gold-proof-coin-25SG1.html
- 2025 P &D Sacagawea $1 Native American 2 COINS MARY KAWENA PUKUI- https://www.ebay.com/itm/226476376634
- The 2025 Gold Sacagawea Dollar Will Confuse the Public- https://www.numismaticnews.net/the-2025-gold-sacagawea-dollar-will-confuse-the-public
- United States Mint Displays Never–Before–Seen Gold Space Coins in Milwaukee- https://www.usmint.gov/news/press-releases/20070810-united-states-mint-displays-neverbeforeseen-gold-space-coins-in-milwaukee
- What are these Sacagawea gold coins I re-found?- https://www.reddit.com/r/coincollecting/comments/1gutibc/what_are_these_sacagawea_gold_coins_i_refound/
Nikola Roza
Nikola Roza is a blogger behind Nikola Roza- SEO for the Poor and Determined. He writes for bloggers who don't have huge marketing budget but still want to succeed. Nikola is passionate about precious metals IRAs and how to invest in gold and silver for a safer financial future. Learn about Nikola here.
